# Palapa B1

> Indonesian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12502228](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12502228)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/palapa-b1

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Palapa B1**:

---

## Summary  
Palapa B1 is an Indonesian geostationary communications satellite, part of the Palapa series. Launched in 1983 aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, it was operated by Telkom Indonesia and provided telecommunications services until its retirement in 1995. The satellite was manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company and based on the Boeing 376 spacecraft bus.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: June 18, 1983, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A aboard STS-7.  
- **Operator**: Telkom Indonesia.  
- **Manufacturer**: Hughes Aircraft Company.  
- **Mass**: 1,200 kg (launch weight), 692 kg (service entry).  
- **Dimensions**: 6.83 m height, 2.16 m diameter.  
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.  
- **Power**: 1,060 W from solar arrays, supported by nickel-cadmium batteries.  
- **Preceded by**: Palapa A2.  
- **Succeeded by**: Palapa B2.  
- **Retirement**: Circa October 1995.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Palapa B1?  
A: Palapa B1 was designed to provide telecommunications services for Indonesia, including TV broadcasting, phone calls, and data transmission.  

### Q: How was Palapa B1 launched?  
A: It was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-7 mission) on June 18, 1983, using a PAM-D space tug for orbital insertion.  

### Q: What happened to Palapa B1 after its launch?  
A: It was renamed "Palapa Pacific 1" in 1991 and retired from service in 1995 after 12 years of operation.  

## Why It Matters  
Palapa B1 was a critical part of Indonesia's efforts to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure in the 1980s. As part of the Palapa series, it enabled nationwide communication, bridging remote regions and supporting economic development. Its successful deployment via the Space Shuttle highlighted international collaboration in satellite technology. The satellite's retirement marked the transition to more advanced systems, but its legacy persists in Indonesia's satellite communication network.  

## Notable For  
- **Firsts**: One of the early Indonesian satellites launched by the Space Shuttle.  
- **Technical Design**: Used the Boeing 376 spacecraft bus, a proven platform for geostationary satellites.  
- **Longevity**: Operated for 12 years, exceeding its expected service life.  
- **Renaming**: Became "Palapa Pacific 1" in 1991, reflecting its expanded role.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on **June 18, 1983**, as part of the STS-7 mission.  
- Deployed from the Space Shuttle Challenger using a **PAM-D** space tug.  
- Initial orbit: **Geostationary orbit** (35,786 km altitude).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Boeing 376.  
- **Power System**: Solar arrays (1,060 W) and two nickel-cadmium batteries.  
- **Dimensions**: 6.83 m tall, 2.16 m in diameter.  
- **Mass**: 1,200 kg at launch, 692 kg in orbit.  

### Operational History  
- Operated by **Telkom Indonesia**.  
- Provided telecommunications services until **1995**.  
- Renamed to **Palapa Pacific 1** in 1991.  

### Retirement  
- Decommissioned circa **October 1995**.  
- Replaced by **Palapa B2** and later satellites.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Palapa B1",
  "description": "Indonesian geostationary communications satellite launched in 1983.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7129915",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palapa"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Communications satellite",
  "manufacturer": "Hughes Aircraft Company",
  "operator": "Telkom Indonesia",
  "launchDate": "1983-06-18",
  "satelliteOf": "Earth"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/palapa-b.htm)
2. [Source](https://space.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/QuickLooks/palapabQL.html)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](http://boeing.com/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/376/palapa_b/palapa_b.html)
5. [Source](https://planet4589.org/home/legacy/space/book/html.old/commercial_s/domsat/rim/perumtel/1983-059C.html)